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Mexican Corn in a Cup (Esquites)

Esquites is a delightful Mexican street food featuring tender corn kernels mixed with creamy mayonnaise, tangy lime, and spices, served in a cup for a convenient and delicious snack.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned) Fresh corn offers the best flavor.
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice Brightens the flavors.
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder Adjust for desired spiciness.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup cotija cheese (crumbled) Traditional topping.
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped) Traditional herb.
  • 1 unit avocado (diced, optional) Add for creaminess.

Method
 

Cooking the Corn
  1. Cook the corn kernels. If using fresh corn, grill the cobs over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally until charred. If using frozen or canned corn, heat them in a pan over medium heat until warmed through.
Combining Ingredients
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm corn with mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, and salt. Stir gently until all the kernels are coated in the creamy mixture.
Adding Toppings
  1. Stir in the crumbled cotija cheese and fresh cilantro, and if desired, toss in diced avocado.
Serving
  1. Spoon the esquites into individual cups. For an extra touch, top each cup with additional cotija cheese, chili powder, or fresh lime wedges. It's best served hot.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Add a splash of lime juice or mayo to rehydrate if they seem dry.